PRESS RELEASE
11 FEBRUARY 2005
LAUNCH OF 2005 TROCAIRE LENTEN APPEAL
IN THE DIOCESE OF KILDARE AND LEIGHLIN
‘REACH OUT THIS LENT’
The Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin and Trócaire are linking up this Lent
to promote another element of the Diocesan ‘Reach Out’ campaign, which
involves a special emphasis on supporting the ongoing development work
of Trócaire in Ethiopia and their Lent 2005 theme: ‘Ethiopia, Help Make
Poverty History’.
Earlier today, the Archbishop of Addis Abeba in Ethiopia, His Grace Abune
Berhaneyesus Souraphiel joined the Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, Dr Jim
Moriarty to launch the Lenten appeal in the Standhouse Hotel, The Curragh,
Co. Kildare.
In his address Archbishop Berhaneyesus said: “Since arriving to Ireland
I have been struck by the response of the Irish people to the plight of
the victims of the recent tsunami in Asia. The generosity shown by you
has yet again held you apart and shown to the world your deep care and
concern for those afflicted by suffering and poverty. In many ways it
reminded me of how Irish people responded to the great tragedy of famine
in my own country of Ethiopia 20 years ago when so many of you came to
our aid at a time of such need and difficulty.
“Some might believe that such events are a thing of the past in Ethiopia.
Unfortunately the frequency of drought and the shortage of food is a
recurring problem that faces so many of our people today. This is why I
am glad that Trócaire are focusing their Lenten Campaign on Ethiopia in
this crucial year for us.”
Archbishop Berhaneyesus went on to say: “The problems seem great and many.
Sometimes they may seem insurmountable. However hope remains and lives.
I want to especially thank the people of the Diocese of Kildare and
Leighlin for your ongoing support for our work through Trócaire and
for you to know that your help makes a great difference to so many of
our people in Ethiopia. We may have great problems but the only way
for us to face the future is for all of us to face it together as one
family.”
Following the ‘Reach Out’ Christmas ‘candle campaign’ parishioners all
over the diocese are now being called to embrace the needs of the world’s
poorest and deprived by supporting Trócaire’s worldwide development work.
During Lent parish communities throughout the diocese, particularly through
the use of the familiar Trócaire box, will focus on learning about and
responding to the needs of Ethiopia. Sunday liturgies will include prayers
and reflections on the theme of poverty. Primary and Post-Primary school
students are being invited to develop creative promotional and fund-raising
projects and this year’s Confirmation candidates throughout the diocese
will be invited to pledge a portion of what they receive as Confirmation
gifts to Trócaire.
Commenting on this year’s Lenten Campaign, the diocesan co-coordinator
for Trócaire Fr. James Kelly said: “solidarity and concern for one’s
neighbour is common in Ethiopian society and it’s also seen when we
support the work of Trócaire. We hope the money, the prayer and the
active support the people of the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin will
give this year will show our concern for and solidarity with our
neighbours wherever they are in the world”.
Further information:
Brenda Drumm 087 233 7797
Fr Mícheál Murphy 086 824 4629
NOTES TO EDITORS
* 2005 marks the twentieth anniversary since the phenomenon of Band Aid.
In 1985 nearly one million people died of hunger following drought and
conflict in Ethiopia. Twenty years on, hunger is still a major problem
in the country with fourteen million people still dependant on food aid
in 2003.
* The Biography of Archbishop Berhaneyesus is attached.
* Photographs from the launch are available from John McElroy – Tel: 01 8310503
* The Kildare and Leighlin ‘Reach Out’ campaign was launched on November
29th 2004 as a response to the issues raised by people in the diocese
following publication in 2003 of Together in Christ, the draft guide to
the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. The publication of Together in Christ
marked the start of a conversation in the diocese about what should be
the key priorities for the diocese in the coming years. (www.kandle.ie)
Over 50,000 specially commissioned candles were distributed throughout
the diocese as part of the Christmas Candle campaign, where parishioners
were asked, in a spirit of solidarity, to reach out to neighbours and
friends sharing with them the ‘light of Christ’.
* Trócaire is the development agency of the Irish Catholic Bishops’
Conference (www.trocaire.org)
* The Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin has: 56 parishes; 110 priests/parish
pastoral workers; a Catholic population of approximately 200,000;117 Catholic
Churches; and thePatrons of the Diocese are St Brigid, St Conleth and St Lazerian.
The Diocese includes County Carlow and parts of Counties Kildare, Laois,
Offaly, Kilkenny, Wicklow and Wexford.
BIOGRAPHY
HIS GRACE ABUNE BERHANEYESUS D. SOURAPHIEL, C.M.
METROPOLITAN ARCHBISHOP OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ADDIS ABEBA
Birth Place: Chelelqa, Harar, Ethiopia
Birth Date: July 14th, 1948
Ordanied Priest: July 4th, 1976
Consecrated Bishop: January 25th, 1998
Promoted Archbishop: December 12th, 1999
ADDRESS:
Catholic Archbishop’s House
P O Box 21903, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: 00 251 1 111667; 00 251 1 550300
Fax: 00 251 1 551348; 00 251 1 551348
E-Mail: [email protected]
* 1968-1970: Philosophy and related subjects at St. Kaleb Major
Seminary, Addis Ababa, and at Haileselassie I University, Addis
Ababa as a special student,
* 1970-1974: Missionary Institute, London and King’s College,
University of London and obtained Bachelor of Divinity Degree
* 1980-1984: Gregorian University, Rome, Faculty of Social Sciences
and obtained an MA degree in Economic Development.
APPOINTMENTS
* 1980: Delegate to the General Assembly of the Congregation of
the Mission in Rome.
* 1985-1991: Director of the Lazarist Novitiate + Parish Priest of
Mary of Zion Parish in Addis Ababa, + Lecturer in Biblical Studies,
Social Sciences, and Study of Religions in St Francis Institute of
Philosophy and Theology, Addis Ababa
* 1991: Episcopal Vicar of H.E. Msgr Fikremariam Gemetchu, C.M.,
Apostolic Vicar of Nekemte.
* 1994: Installed on September 8th as the first Apostolic Prefect of
the Apostolic Prefecture of Jimma-Bonga, Ethiopia, and served until
1997 when he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of
Addis Ababa, by His Holiness John Paul II.
